Te Deum
[ tey dey-oo m, -uh m, tee dee-uh m ]
/ teɪ ˈdeɪ ʊm, -əm, ti ˈdi əm /
noun
(italics)
an ancient Latin hymn of praise to God, in the form of a psalm, sung regularly at matins in the Roman Catholic Church and, usually, in an English translation, at Morning Prayer in the Anglican Church, as well as on special occasions as a service of thanksgiving.
a musical setting of this hymn.
a service of thanksgiving in which this hymn forms a prominent part.
Origin of Te Deum
< Late Latin, first two words of the hymn, which begins:
Tē Deum laudāmus we praise thee God
British Dictionary definitions for te deum
Te Deum
/ (ˌtiː ˈdiːəm) /
noun
an ancient Latin hymn in rhythmic prose, sung or recited at matins in the Roman Catholic Church and in English translation at morning prayer in the Church of England and used by both Churches as an expression of thanksgiving on special occasions
a musical setting of this hymn
a service of thanksgiving in which the recital of this hymn forms a central part
Word Origin for Te Deum
from the Latin canticle beginning
Tē Deum laudāmus, literally: Thee, God, we praise
Cultural definitions for te deum (1 of 2)
Te Deum
[ (tay day-uhm, tee dee-uhm) ]
A hymn of praise to God, containing many passages from the Bible (see also Bible), that is used in the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, and the Roman Catholic Church as part of morning prayers on festive occasions. It begins, “Te Deum laudamus,” meaning, “We praise thee, O God.”
Cultural definitions for te deum (2 of 2)
“Te Deum”
[ (tay day-uhm, tee dee-uhm) ]
A hymn of praise to God, with words taken largely from the Bible (see also Bible), that is used by many groups of Christians (see also Christian). The “Te Deum” has been set to music by George Frederick Handel and by many other composers for performance in worship services of thanksgiving (after a victory in war, for example). The Latin words Te Deum laudamus mean “Thee, God, we praise.”